Review: ‘Tank Girl’

What's missing from the mix is an engaging story to bind together its intriguing bits. And Lori Petty as "Tank Girl," aka Rachel Buck, has the spunk but, sadly, not the heart of the post-apocalyptic heroine.

What’s missing from the mix is an engaging story to bind together its intriguing bits. And Lori Petty as “Tank Girl,” aka Rachel Buck, has the spunk but, sadly, not the heart of the post-apocalyptic heroine.

The futuristic setting depicts a world where water is the ultimate currency. The planet is a massive desert ruled by the tyrannical military-industrial Water & Power Co. and its chief exec Kesslee (Malcolm McDowell). Renegades, including the title character’s band, poach the precious fluid, much to Kesslee’s chagrin.

As the plot turns, Rachel is taken captive and put to work in the W&P mines. But Kesslee views her as having a greater purpose. He wants her to flush out the “Rippers,” a ferocious strain — part man, part kangaroo — created in some warped biolab experiment.

Escaping with the aid of fellow drone Jet Girl (Naomi Watts), Rachel hijacks a tank and sets off in search of the Rippers, unaware she’s been implanted with a homing device.

Of course, the pair get into a lot of trouble along the way. And, also predictably, they wind up, with the aid of the hybrids, saving the desert planet.

Director Rachel Talalay has culled the loudest and most obvious elements associated with hercomic book hero. It’s a biff-bam approach most likely to induce headaches. The pity of it is the film’s failure to reflect the comic’s commentary on the battle of the sexes or the bizarre extremes of corporate mentality. Talalay and scripter Tedi Sarafian prefer the outrageous and gaudy as exemplified by such narrative non sequiturs as a musical interlude at a bar of tomorrow played out to Cole Porter’s anachronistic “Let’s Do It.”

Petty’s take on her character favors brash, physical elements. Lost is the humor and ingenious nature that might have spawned a series. It’s the essential difference between producing “Batman” or “Modesty Blaise.”

“Tank Girl’s” screen assault has a “no prisoners” attitude. There’s some comfort in knowing the troops — both its technicians and artistes — are well-trained pros. But without a forceful field marshal, even the best are undone by chaos.

Tank Girl

(Futuristic adventure -- Color)

Production

There are dazzling pyrotechnics, state-of-the-art makeup, a lavish song-and-dance production, nifty animation reflecting its comic book origins and a thumping rock soundtrack.